In summer 2023, three high school students—Abhinav Akula, Mohit Mukkollu, and Saathvik Rao—launched ChapterOne, a student-run nonprofit that equips refugee children across the United States with essential life skills to help them thrive.
Self-sufficiency is crucial for refugee children, as it helps them overcome challenges like language barriers, cultural differences, and educational gaps. By teaching skills such as financial literacy, emotional resilience, and leadership, ChapterOne empowers them to take control of their futures with confidence, dignity, and hope.
Since launching, ChapterOne has raised over $12,000 and partnered with more than 20 refugee camps across the United States. The organization has hosted a variety of events with support from partners like Krispy Kreme, local restaurants, community 5Ks, performances, and generous donors who believe in its mission.
The idea for ChapterOne came from a shared sense of gratitude. As children of immigrant parents, Abhinav, Mohit, and Saathvik had witnessed their parents struggle adjusting to a foreign country. As students with access to stable homes, they realized that the situation for refugee kids is a lot worse. That realization turned into a commitment to help others build a better starting point.
“We’ve been fortunate in ways that not everyone is,” said Mohit. “We felt a responsibility to pay it forward.”
ChapterOne focuses on life skills and long-term impact, offering mentorship, basic education support, and leadership workshops that have already helped hundreds of refugee children take meaningful steps toward independence.
“Our goal is to give these kids the tools, not just temporary support,” says Abhinav. “We want them to feel confident and capable of building their future.”
The team is continuing to grow and is inviting others to join the effort. Whether you’re a student, educator, community member, or organization, there are many ways to support the mission and help expand the impact.
“We’ve seen how much change can come from just showing up and caring,” said Saathvik. “This is only the beginning.”
ChapterOne is a reminder that with the right mindset, a small group of students can create real change—and inspire others to do the same.
About ChapterOne
ChapterOne is a student-led nonprofit dedicated to empowering refugee children through mentorship, financial literacy, leadership development, and emotional resilience training. Since its founding in 2023, ChapterOne has impacted hundreds of youth across the United States. Learn more at www.chapteronerefugee.org.
